&quot;Tea na&quot; wondered where were you when you discovered TEA?

College for me, too. Sophomore year was when it first started, then I kinda stopped after a few bad tea experiences (I'm too lazy to pun that one, sorry), then I got back into it during Junior year, and the rest is history.

I've been to a wonderful teastore today. I bought Menghai Pu Ehr from 1997 and Mei Shan Jin Xuan. Anyone knows what the latter is? I only know it's a (green?) oolong. Victoria, heeelp! I wanted to buy Ali Shan but the price kinda scared me

As for teaware I brought home a gaiwan (my first) and an Yixing cup (first too).

Oh, and I've actually never bought pu ehr before, just ordered it at restaurants and had a sample. So this is a big day for Beidao

tenuki wrote:ps. you have great taste in Kyuusu, I have one almost identical to that one.

And you have beautiful taste in pianos. Lovely photo. I, sadly, have what is known as an "apartment sized" piano (It's 1 1/2 octaves shorter than a standard piano.) from the 1950s made by a company called Lester. And it's missing a pedal because my aunt pulled one off when she was 4. I think the fact I ever learned to play on it is a minor miracle.

The Kyuusu was a birthday gift from my husband...

Chip wrote:And I have that exact Yixing!

...another birthday gift from my husband. There was a gaiwan too. I think I was very good this year! I love the Yixing except the handle gets hot as blazes!

Chip wrote:Like you needed to tell us that was fukamushi??? BUT, which one is it...and which steep? Looks like a second steep.

I knew the green tea folks out there would need no caption. It was Rishi's Fukamushi and, you are correct, it was 2nd steep. I am in awe. I have so much to learn. I would be proud to get as far as guessing Japanese green.

auggy wrote:Katrina, lovely flowers! Irises are my favorite and that one is very neat. Any idea as to its name?

I'm not 100% sure as the rhizomes were a gift from my brother-in-law. He dug them out of his garden and flew with them on his lap to make sure they weren't damaged en route. I THINK they are a medium bearded iris variety called "High Class." I found a photo on this page that seemed similar: http://www.iriscitygardens.com/bearded2.html

auggy wrote:Katrina, lovely flowers! Irises are my favorite and that one is very neat. Any idea as to its name?

I'm not 100% sure as the rhizomes were a gift from my brother-in-law. He dug them out of his garden and flew with them on his lap to make sure they weren't damaged en route. I THINK they are a medium bearded iris variety called "High Class." I found a photo on this page that seemed similar: http://www.iriscitygardens.com/bearded2.html

Guh. I'm in love with that link you sent. Irises are a weakness. I've got only about 5 varieties in my garden but I found a botanical garden recently that is well known for their Irises and will dig you up a plant to take home for $5. I plan on going back in the fall and loading up. I have a list. And I've already brought one of them home:

Wowowow! I love this iris. I have 5-6 varieties in my front yard, and plan to plant a LOT more when I get around to the landscape on the side yard. We have a pathetic and ugly landscape right now. Big project, I'll probably be old(er) and grey(er) before it's finished.

In my cup, some traditional roast TKY from just 4, courtesy of Salsero (thanks!). No pics, got out of the house without a digital camera (how did that happen?!) This is pretty good stuff, hint of smokiness in the roast.

RussianSoul wrote:Since everybody did the birthday wishes in world languages, I'll do it too:

С Днём Рожденья, Omegapd and Henley!

which only means Happy Birthday and that I am a show-off...

I could say that I had Irish Breakfast in the morning to toast omegapd, but I would have had it anyway. Does it still count?

I learned to drink tea at home at a tender age, because that was the thing to do in Russia. Very simple. But I learned about Chinese and Japanese teas here, on this forum, and my education continues.

Sencha+Gyokuro blend in my cup. Yum!

Ahhh, yes...an awesome blend. I have been blending mostly out of necessity since shincha and only when I have a little bit of one left. Like today...this is a pricey blend. Kirameki (2.5 grams...it is now gone) plus 1.5 grams of Hashiri. This was a really interesting blend. I would never do it except in this situation. But it came out really nice.

Wowowow! I love this iris. I have 5-6 varieties in my front yard, and plan to plant a LOT more when I get around to the landscape on the side yard. We have a pathetic and ugly landscape right now. Big project, I'll probably be old(er) and grey(er) before it's finished.

In my cup, some traditional roast TKY from just 4, courtesy of Salsero (thanks!). No pics, got out of the house without a digital camera (how did that happen?!) This is pretty good stuff, hint of smokiness in the roast.

Happy B-day to Omega and Henley!

NO...WOOOWWWWWWWWW! This is clearly a highly bred one. Iris are such complicated flowers both botanically and horticulturally.

I have no idea why I don't have them in my yard, a shortcoming that will have to be corrected.

Ahhh, yes...an awesome blend. I have been blending mostly out of necessity since shincha and only when I have a little bit of one left. Like today...this is a pricey blend. Kirameki (2.5 grams...it is now gone) plus 1.5 grams of Hashiri. This was a really interesting blend. I would never do it except in this situation. But it came out really nice.

I blend because I have a tin of medium quality sencha and a tin of medium to low quality gyokuro, neither of which I like. Together they produce this amazing blend that I now crave. Go figure! I may have to purchase more of these teas in order to blend them, lucky for me they are inexpensive.